There is a moment when the panic sets in. A false step, slight hesitation or a bad angle to the ball.

You know you are beat.

I experienced it firsthand vs. Randy Moss, when he was wearing the silver and black of the Raiders.

It was a sun-splashed fall day in Washington. I was playing safety for the Redskins. A late-afternoon kickoff, shadows creeping over the field early in the second quarter. The ball was just shy of midfield, first-and-10 for the Raiders. A perfect spot for the offense to take a shot to Moss.

I played deep in Cover-2, almost 18 yards off the ball, and worked my way to 20 at the snap. Moss released inside, then vertically up the field to get free of the cornerback.

I looked back inside (for what felt like a second) at the tight end and then turned my head back to Moss.

He was 10 yards behind me.

My feet — now tangled — couldn't move quickly enough to turn and run. I was stuck. The quarterback gave Moss a look and then ultimately checked it down to avoid pressure off the edge.

I was saved from the embarrassment of the nightly highlight reel. But I still couldn't get over how fast Moss sucked up the 20 yards of cushion I had given myself.

At Ford Field on "Monday Night Football," the Bears' safeties will experience the same situation against Calvin Johnson, a receiver who runs like Moss did but with more power, strength and size at the point of attack.

There is no game plan designed to limit a player like Johnson. He can beat man coverage and blow the top off of Cover-2 — whenever he wants. Eight touchdowns in four weeks tells everyone that.

The Bears' defensive philosophy under Lovie Smith is designed to force the ball to go underneath with the two deep safeties acting as the last line of defense. A solid scheme to take away the deep ball.

However, verses Johnson, the safeties now become targets to exploit. Depth is key, footwork is crucial and the ability to turn and run becomes a game-saver.

You can't see it in practice playing against the scout team or in the game plan that breaks down offensive tendencies. Nothing can prepare you for the speed or the instant offense Johnson can provide with one throw.

Players who dictate the flow of the game from an offensive perspective don't come around very often in this league. X's and O's just don't apply to them.

No defensive back is perfect with technique. The ability to recover often saves you as a Cover-2 safety.

Not Monday. Because like that day back at FedEx Field verses Moss, you don't recover against top-tier receivers when you are beat in the deep half.

Special contributor Matt Bowen, who played at Glenbard West and Iowa, spent seven seasons in the NFL as a strong safety. You also can find his work at nationalfootballpost.com.